Custom-made kayak lifted from warehouse

A kayak of David Mills that is nearly identical to the one that was stolen from a storage area at Garberâs Building Supplies.

CLIFTON -- An unusual item was stolen during a break in at Garber’s Building Supplies in Clifton on Sept. 1.

A custom-made kayak was taken from a small storage area attached to the warehouse. With a nylon-on-wood frame, the ultra-light craft is distinctive. Its “skin” is sand beige cordura nylon and the cockpit is framed with an ash and cedar rim or coaming. It measures 18 feet in length and has a very low profile.

The kayak is worth at least $1,700; however, for its builder, David Mills, the value is much more.

“It was a prototype of my own design. There were a lot of design factors that hadn’t been tested yet. I don’t care if I ever find out who took it. I just want to get it back, so I could finish it, and see if it fits the special requirements that I built it for. That’s all I really care about,” said Mills. A custom woodworker, the Mariners Harbor resident is a subcontractor with Garber’s.

Although it appeared finished, the boat was not seaworthy because it had not yet been sealed. However, Mills said, it would float for a decent amount of time.

“The danger is someone could be in real trouble before realizing it wasn’t holding water. They could be out far enough that they would have trouble swimming back,” he said.

Kayak Staten Island has posted information about the theft and requests anyone with any information about this boat, to send it via e-mail to kayakstatenisland@gmail.com.